Westar Institute

Samuel L. Perry

Biography

An award-winning scholar and teacher, Dr. Perry is among the nation’s leading experts on conservative Christianity and American politics, race, sexuality, and families. Along with numerous articles published in leading academic journals, Dr. Perry has also authored or co-authored four books including Growing God’s Family (NYU, 2017), Addicted to Lust (Oxford, 2019), Taking America Back for God (Oxford, 2020; co-authored with Andrew Whitehead) and the forthcoming The Flag and The Cross (Oxford, 2022; co-authored with Philip Gorski).

He is currently working on a forthcoming book about how the scientific study of religion benefits all of society and another book about how culture wars and consumer markets shape English bibles.

Associate professor in the University of Oklahoma Department of Sociology.

• Ph.D. from UChicago (2015)

• M.Div. from Dallas Theological Seminary (2008)

Recent Recognitions

 2022 Vice President for Research and Partnerships Award for Excellence in Research in the Social Sciences, University of Oklahoma

 2020 Vice President for Research and Partnerships Award for Outstanding Research Impact, University of Oklahoma

 2018 Irene Rothbaum Outstanding Assistant Professor Award “In Recognition of Distinguished Teaching as Demonstrated Through Scholarship, Dedication and the Ability to Inspire Students to High Levels of Academic Achievement,” College of Arts and Sciences, University of Oklahoma

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